March 25, 2025

5:00pm – 7:30pm ET

Providence Public Library Donald J. Farish Auditorium (3rd Floor)

Join AIA Rhode Island for an insightful panel discussion exploring the multifaceted challenges nonprofits face when launching capital projects. Moderated by Russ Robertson (Managing Member, Cap Ex Advisory Group), this session brings together industry leaders to dissect the political, social, and economic hurdles inherent to nonprofit development—with a spotlight on the critical “early-money problem” that stalls feasibility studies, environmental assessments, and project momentum.

Speakers

  • Moderator – Russ Robertson
    Cap Ex Advisory Group, Managing Member
  • Cortney Nicolato
    United Way Rhode Island, President & CEO
  • Barbara J. Thornton, AIA, LEED AP
    Brewster Thornton Group, Partner
  • Marisa Angell Brown, PhD
    Providence Preservation Society, Executive Director

Key Discussion Themes:

  • The Early-Money Dilemma: Why upfront funding for feasibility studies remains a systemic barrier—and how nonprofits can navigate it.
  • Stakeholder Navigation: Managing competing political, social, and donor interests in project planning.
  • Economic Realities: Addressing inflation, labor shortages, and rising material costs in budget forecasting.
  • Collaborative Solutions: Case studies showcasing partnerships between nonprofits, architects, and financiers.

Who Should Attend?
Nonprofit leaders, architects, developers, and community stakeholders invested in impactful capital projects.

Why Attend?
Gain actionable strategies, real-world examples from UWRI’s current initiatives, and a roadmap to turn visionary projects into reality—even when resources are scarce.